University of Reading runs workshops on mental health for teenagers

Teenagers from Reading have been learning how to spot the signs of mental health problems and what to do about them.

Staff and students from the anxiety and depression in young people research unit (ANDY) at the University of Reading gave free mental health workshops at Southcote and Coley Community Centres and Fairview Youth Club.

The workshops, run in partnership with Reading Football Club Community Trust, highlighted the symptoms of common mental health difficulties.

They also gave young people different strategies to help promote positive mental health.

Psychological disorders are becoming increasingly common in children, with about 20 per cent suffering from significant symptoms of anxiety and between five and 10 per cent being diagnosed with anxiety. Children with an anxiety disorder may have fewer friends, lack confidence in trying new things and are known to underachieve at school and risk social exclusion.

Depression affects around 15 per cent of young people before they are 18-years-old.

Symptoms vary but low mood, lack of pleasure and irritability are common. Others include lethargy, tiredness, loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, aggression and a feeling that you cannot cope or want to live.

Emotional wellbeing

Dr Helen Dodd, from the ANDY unit, said: “It was excellent to see so many young people at the workshops. A significant number of adolescents experience emotional health problems but only a minority seek support. Our aim in this series of workshops was to help young people identify when they are experiencing difficulties and to understand what they might be able to do about it.

“There are many simple things that we can do to help our emotional wellbeing but young people may not be aware of them. If untreated, depression can have a disastrous effect during adolescence. It can then often have lifelong effects and tragic consequences so identifying the signs early is crucial. We were very keen to work with teenagers to help them develop techniques to deal with difficulties in their lives.”

Jay Gilbert of Reading FC Community Trust said: “Working to improve emotional wellbeing in young people is extremely important to Reading FC Community Trust so that we can help them become aware of looking after themselves and their future, allowing young people to feel empowered in what they are doing with their lives in a positive way.”

On Wednesday, June 10, ANDY will host an event for parents, carers teachers and other people working with children and young people. These sessions will provide an overview of recent developments in research and practice, with opportunities for discussion with other attendees and the research team.

The University of Reading recently launched a campaign to support novel research into a new treatment for teenage depression and to highlight the lack of global research in this area.